Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Languages
Executive Profile
Community Service
Timeline
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Tareq Salim

Tareq Salim

Nepean,ON

Summary

Proven telecommunications executive with a track record of transforming network infrastructure, optimizing capital investment, and leading cross-functional teams. Adept at fostering a culture of innovation, strategic execution, and community impact, positioning companies at the forefront of telecom evolution and customer-first excellence. Strong expertise in public policy, regulatory affairs, and strategic communications, effectively bridging the gap between technical leadership and policy advocacy to shape the future of telecommunications in Canada and beyond.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Principal Networks Architect

MOBIA
10.2023 - Current
  • Drafted Open-RAN responses
  • Architected 5G PWNs
  • Designed major wireless systems and PoCs
  • Managing ISED and CRTC relations, focusing on acquiring trial spectrum and service elements.

Sr. Director, Technology Strategy and Planning

IHS Towers
06.2021 - 10.2022
  • Created region-specific propagation calibration methodologies, reducing drive test requirements by 35%
  • Pioneered integration of machine learning with traditional propagation models, improving prediction accuracy in complex urban environments by 28%
  • Trained Engineers on Live Module of Atoll using crowdsourced data
  • Designed two Open-Ran 5G/3G/2G networks in Africa
  • Crafted the technology strategy for 11 countries’ operations
  • Designed six rural 4G/5G deployments in Brazil, Nigeria, Egypt, Ecuador, and Columbia.

Director of Projects for AI Program

Georgian College
05.2021 - 08.2022
  • Supervise all AI Graduate Diploma Program graduates final projects.
  • Connect industry, private and government, to the college’s AI Program research center
  • Following up and acting as PMO Director for all projects and interfacing with external industry sponsors
  • Taught

Senior Manager, Consulting Networks, Economics and Strategy

Nordicity
03.2020 - 06.2020
  • Development of Spectrum Auction SW
  • Building business cases and providing responses to public consultation
  • Development of professional and managed services
  • Development of product of current and emerging communications markets for strategy, technology, market assessment, financial analysis, business planning, policy, and regulatory consulting
  • Marketing and developing client and professional relationships in order enhance Nordicity’s and your own reputation.

Chief Operating Officer

arabot
08.2018 - 01.2020

Director – Professional Services & PMO Office

Integrated Technology Group
07.2017 - 07.2018

Manager – Global Operations

Techinsights
11.2016 - 07.2017

Senior Manager – Pricing & Commercial Strategy

Rogers Communications
08.2015 - 08.2016

Principal Consultant, Technical Fellow

Bell Canada
11.2013 - 02.2015

System Integrator – Network Technology Strategy

Rogers Communications
11.2012 - 11.2013

Design Specialist II

TELUS
06.2011 - 11.2012

Director of Planning and Managed Services – LTE & WiMAX Network

Samsung Networks
08.2008 - 02.2011
  • Set up the overall strategy for network coverage to be used for technology development for KSA and UAE networks
  • Participated in the project of offloading the UMTS data traffic to the WiMax and the super WiFi networks using cross-technology multilayer approach
  • Developed quarterly-based strategy check report and presentation that are presented before the executive leadership team of Samsung Middle East.
  • Developed the semi-annual SLA report for internal and external stakeholders
  • Developed an annual report on impact and opportunity that addresses the current and expected trends and shifts in the telecom market.
  • Budgeted the CAPEX and OPEX
  • Generated commercial proposal for RF Planning and Optimization as well as generation of RFP-response reports
  • Designed and implemented the templates, manuals, and the reports of the end-2-end process of RF system design and optimization
  • Implemented, monitored and managed network KPIs in the domain of Core Network, Radio Network, Transmission, Data.

Senior Research Engineer - Lecturer

ECIT – Queen’s University of Belfast
09.2006 - 09.2007
  • Participated in the committee of redesigning the curriculum for the Telecommunication Stream and the online resource management
  • Planned and optimizing WiMax networks and monitoring and analyzing the network KPI’s
  • Designed new BTS for Philips at UK as well as optimizing the 3G cells
  • Developed smart on-body antennas for personal body network, PAN, and body area network, BAN.
  • Implemented and operated an anechoic chamber and built fully automated solution to measure all antennas’ parameters using VB and C++.
  • Designed Phased-Arrays for beam forming for smart antennas
  • Participated in writing the IEEE STD 802.15.4 with my PhD supervisor and my line manager at Queen’s

Education

PhD - Electrical & Electronic Engineering

University of Birmingham

MSc - Mobile Communications Systems Engineering

University of Birmingham

MPA - Public Administration

Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy

MGIS - GIS

Vancouver Island University

CMA - undefined

IMA

Certified Professional iBwave User - undefined

iBwave

WiMax Forum RF Bootcamp Certified - undefined

DecoTech Academy

KCNA - undefined

Cloud Native Computing Foundation

GCP - undefined

Google Cloud

Skills

  • Crafting 3- and 5-year technology and spectrum roadmap
  • Native-cloud SW development and deployment for telecom networks
  • Creating network strategy with focus on operational plans, natural growth, and inter-departmental readiness
  • Operational experience with all federal and provincial programs for rural and remote areas
  • OPEX and CAPEX planning, optimization and costing for wireless and wireline networks as well as performance measurements
  • Building business cases and validate options and alternatives with all standard financial analysis tolls, IRR, payback, ROI, NPV and breakeven
  • Hands-on technology leader for Open-RAN, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks
  • LEO Satellite network and earth station links engineering and implementation
  • ISED and CRTC Funding programs for 50/10 Mbps broadband deployment
  • Deep technical understanding and working experience with 3GPP, IEEE 80211, IEEE 80216, DVB, and O-RAN Alliance standards
  • 3GPP and O-RAN Standard RAN interpretation, analysis, alignment and auditing
  • Advanced AWS cloud architecture hands-on
  • CI/CD processes, tools, and implementation
  • DevOps Strategy crafting and roadmap
  • APIs Design and Architecture
  • ISED and CRTC consultations responses
  • ISED and FCC Spectrum Auctions design and strategy
  • Spectrum simulation, strategy and management
  • Open-RAN integration and components system deployment

Accomplishments

  • Secured $80M funding for broadband expansion in underserved Canadian communities.
  • Led CAPEX/OPEX planning for multi-billion-dollar telecom infrastructure projects.
  • Created policy frameworks shaping telecom regulations and Indigenous partnerships.
  • Planned the 2600 & 3500 Spectrum utilization for TD-LTE Rogers Network and developed and implemented the strategy for the shared spectrum with Bell under Inukshuk II, 2300 MHz and 3500 MHz bands.
  • Led $50M managed services and RAN Samsung portfolio of Mobily HSPA, WiMax and LTE networks and hired more than 62 engineers in four departments, RAN Optimization & Planning, NOC, Core, and Access.
  • Led the planning and deployment of Africa’s first two Open-RAN GSM and LTE networks.

Languages

English
Full Professional
Arabic
Native or Bilingual

Executive Profile

  • Visionary telecommunications leader with 20+ years of experience driving strategic IT technology planning and deployment, telecom software development, network planning, and operational excellence across wireless and wireline infrastructure. Expertise in 5G, fiber optics, Open-RAN, and satellite networks, coupled with a strong track record in network evolution, infrastructure monetization, and cross-functional leadership. Adept at translating complex technological challenges into actionable strategies to optimize performance and maximize customer impact.
  • My telecommunications consulting experience encompasses the full spectrum of the consulting lifecycle, from problem definition through solution refinement and implementation. Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated my ability to gather and elicit business requirements, having accumulated extensive experience in business analysis specifically within the telecom industry. This deep sector knowledge has enabled me to understand the complex mobile application landscapes and customer journey dynamics that are critical to success in this field.
  • What sets me apart is not only the depth of my telecommunications expertise but also the breadth of my technical capabilities. As a certified Kubernetes architect, I bring modern cloud-native and containerization expertise that aligns perfectly with the requirements of next-generation web application development. My extensive background in database and analytics, complemented by a Master’s degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), provides me with unique analytical capabilities that enable comprehensive, data-driven insights for telecom mobility solutions.
  • My leadership credentials are evidenced by my Master of Public Administration (MPA) award, which recognizes my ability to guide cross-functional teams, manage complex project deliverables, and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all organizational levels. This leadership experience directly translates to the mentoring and team guidance responsibilities outlined in your job description.
  • From an educational perspective, I possess exceptional academic credentials with both a PhD and Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering. This advanced educational foundation provides me with deep technical knowledge of telecom systems, network infrastructure, and emerging industry trends that are essential for addressing the evolving challenges in telecom mobility consulting.
  • My international consulting experience has equipped me with strong communication and interpersonal skills necessary for facilitating stakeholder discussions, driving consensus, and delivering client training. I am well-versed in business analysis methodologies, requirements management tools, and project management approaches including both Agile and Waterfall methodologies. Additionally, my proficiency with data analysis tools and visualization platforms enables me to transform complex telecom data into actionable business insights.

Community Service

Active contributor to ISED & CRTC regulatory discussions shaping Canada’s telecom landscape., Advocate for Indigenous broadband initiatives, fostering digital equity and economic inclusion., Speaker at telecom industry conferences on 5G, spectrum strategy, and infrastructure evolution.

Timeline

Principal Networks Architect

MOBIA
10.2023 - Current

Sr. Director, Technology Strategy and Planning

IHS Towers
06.2021 - 10.2022

Director of Projects for AI Program

Georgian College
05.2021 - 08.2022

Senior Manager, Consulting Networks, Economics and Strategy

Nordicity
03.2020 - 06.2020

Chief Operating Officer

arabot
08.2018 - 01.2020

Director – Professional Services & PMO Office

Integrated Technology Group
07.2017 - 07.2018

Manager – Global Operations

Techinsights
11.2016 - 07.2017

Senior Manager – Pricing & Commercial Strategy

Rogers Communications
08.2015 - 08.2016

Principal Consultant, Technical Fellow

Bell Canada
11.2013 - 02.2015

System Integrator – Network Technology Strategy

Rogers Communications
11.2012 - 11.2013

Design Specialist II

TELUS
06.2011 - 11.2012

Director of Planning and Managed Services – LTE & WiMAX Network

Samsung Networks
08.2008 - 02.2011

Senior Research Engineer - Lecturer

ECIT – Queen’s University of Belfast
09.2006 - 09.2007

MSc - Mobile Communications Systems Engineering

University of Birmingham

MPA - Public Administration

Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy

MGIS - GIS

Vancouver Island University

CMA - undefined

IMA

Certified Professional iBwave User - undefined

iBwave

WiMax Forum RF Bootcamp Certified - undefined

DecoTech Academy

KCNA - undefined

Cloud Native Computing Foundation

GCP - undefined

Google Cloud

PhD - Electrical & Electronic Engineering

University of Birmingham
Tareq Salim